Ab Crunch Neck Support

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises a new and improved exercise device that is specifically adapted to assist a user engaged in abdominal crunches. The device comprises an elongated, arcuate board having a pair of handle grips extending from the sides thereof. Users engage the handles of the device and place their hands alongside their head during the crunch exercise. This is accomplished without placing strain on the neck. Rather than placing a tugging load on the back of the user&#39;s head, the board distributes this load across the back of the head, neck, and upper back of the user, thereby avoiding neck flexion. Overall, the device supports both the head and upper back, and eliminates neck pain when performing an abdominal crunch. The device includes adjustable side handles to ensure hands are properly placed, and stabilizes the head and neck while a person performs abdominal exercises. The device improves form during the exercise and improves core performance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/076,058, filed Nov. 6, 2014, entitled “Ab Crunch Neck Support,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to devices for abdominal crunches.

BACKGROUND

Core exercises are critical for those seeking to improve their overall strength and athleticism, or simply to tone their abdominal region. Many core exercises exist, but the most popular and widely adopted is the abdominal crunch exercise. The abdominal crunch is an exercise in which users lie face up and engage their abdominal region as they lift their shoulder blades from the ground. Several forms are used, including placing one's hands behind their head, placing their hands one their chest, or extending their arms for added difficulty. The crunch is differentiated from a full sit-up in that full flexion is not required. Users focus on their abdomen while lifting their head and shoulders from the floor, squeezing their core, and then returning to a starting position.

Placing hands behind the head during the exercise can create added resistance as the user flexes their upper body forward. However, in this form there is an innate reaction to pull on the back of the head while performing the exercise. Not only is this contrary to the exercise, but this may strain the muscles of the neck.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments are described herein in the context of devices for aiding a user in performing abdominal crunches. These illustrative embodiments are mentioned not to limit or define the invention, but rather to provide examples to aid understanding thereof. Illustrative embodiments are discussed in the Detailed Description, which provides further description of the invention. Advantages offered by various embodiments of this invention may be further understood by examining this specification.

In one embodiment, an abdominal crunch neck support device comprises an elongated board comprising a first elongated side and a second elongated side opposite the first elongated side, a first handle on the first elongated side of the elongated board; and a second handle on the second elongated side of the elongated board. In some embodiments, the elongated board is configured to extend from approximately a head of a user to approximately an upper back of the user. In some embodiments, the elongated board is configured to extend across a neck of the user. The elongated board may comprise a curved shape.

In some embodiments, the elongated board comprises an upper surface and wherein a pad is disposed on the upper surface. In some embodiments, the first handle is configured for grasping by a left hand of a user and the second handle is configured for grasping by a right hand of the user when the user is performing an abdominal crunch exercise using the device. In some embodiments, the abdominal crunch neck support device is configured to maintain alignment of a head, a neck, and an upper back of a user when the user is performing an abdominal crunch exercise using the device.

In some embodiments, a first handle on the elongated board is adjustable or a second handle on the elongated board is adjustable, or both. In some embodiments, the elongated board comprises a length of approximately sixteen inches. In some embodiments, a width between a first handle of the elongated board and the second handle of the elongated board is approximately fifteen inches. In some embodiments, the elongated board comprises a tapering width from a first width of approximately fifteen inches to a second width of approximately eight inches. In some embodiments, the first handle and the second handle are integrated into the elongated board. In some embodiments, the elongated board, the first handle, and the second handle are a single piece. In some embodiments, the first handle is attachable to and detachable from the first elongated side and wherein the second handle is attachable to and detachable from the second elongated side.

One embodiment comprises a method of performing an abdominal crunch using an abdominal crunch neck support device. In this embodiment, the method comprises placing at least part of a head, at least part of a neck, and at least part of a back on an elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device. In this embodiment, the method further comprises grasping a first handle of the abdominal crunch neck support device with a left hand. In this embodiment, the method further comprises grasping a second handle of the abdominal crunch neck support device with a right hand. In this embodiment, the method further comprises performing an abdominal crunch exercise using the abdominal crunch neck support device.

In some embodiments, a method of performing an abdominal crunch using an abdominal crunch neck support device comprises placing at least part of a head on a pad attached to an elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device. In some embodiments, a method of performing an abdominal crunch using an abdominal crunch neck support device comprise placing at least part of a neck on a pad attached to the elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device. In some embodiments, an abdominal crunch exercise is performed using an abdominal crunch neck support device without ungrasping a first handle and without ungrasping a second handle on the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more examples of embodiments and, together with the description of example embodiments, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a view of the device in use while a user is performing a crunch according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a view of the device from the top of the user's head while the user is engaged in a crunch exercise according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a view of the device in use while a user is in a resting state according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a view of the user reaching rearward to grab the handles of the device according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the device according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments are described herein in the context of devices for abdominal crunch neck support. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other embodiments will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations of example embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, several views of the abdominal crunch device are shown in use. The device comprises an elongated board that is configured to extend from the back of the user's head, across the neck, and downward along the upper back area thereof. The board includes a curved, arcuate shape and has an upper surface with a pad disposed thereon. The shape of the device contours to the shape of the user's neck and places handles along the sides of the device in an upwardly disposed state.

In use, the user places the board with the pad against his or her head and neck, reaches backward to grasp the handles with each hand, and initiates the abdominal crunch exercise. The user flexes forward while maintaining grip of the handles throughout the exercise. This prevents users from directly tugging on their head and thus straining their neck muscles. Moreover, the device maintains the head, neck, and upper back of the user in alignment during the exercise, focusing the flexion on the abdominal core area rather than the neck area. This focuses the movement on the abdomen and prevents cheating.

Referring to FIG. 4, the user reaches rearward and grasps the device from the handles to begin the exercise. The device comprises an exercise aid that eliminates neck pain while performing abdominal crunches. The device includes a slightly curved, molded plastic or similar material neck and back support. The device includes padded upper area and semi-rigid lower portion that rests against the upper back of a user. The handles may optionally be adjustable such adjust the positioning thereof prior to performing the abdominal crunch. The device is preferably sufficiently thin to allow a person a full range of motion needed to complete an entire crunch, while sufficiently rigid to provide support without undue flexing. The device may measure approximately 16 inches in length. In some embodiment, the device may measure approximately 22 inches in length. From handle to handle it may measure 15 inches in width, tapering to 8 inches in width at the head and neck support region.

Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of the device is shown. As described above, the device includes a head pad that supports and cushions the rear of the user's head. Below the pad, the board extends downward and bears against the upper back of the user. The user grasps the handles and performs the crunch exercise while the device is placed against his or her back of the head, neck, and back.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An abdominal crunch neck support device comprising: an elongated board comprising a first elongated side and a second elongated side opposite the first elongated side; a first handle on the first elongated side of the elongated board; and a second handle on the second elongated side of the elongated board.
 2. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein the elongated board is configured to extend from approximately a head of a user to approximately an upper back of the user.
 3. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 2, wherein the elongated board is further configured to extend across a neck of the user.
 4. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein the elongated board comprises a curved shape.
 5. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein the elongated board comprises an upper surface and wherein a pad is disposed on the upper surface.
 6. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein the first handle is configured for grasping by a left hand of a user and the second handle is configured for grasping by a right hand of the user when the user is performing an abdominal crunch exercise using the device.
 7. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to maintain alignment of a head, a neck, and an upper back of a user when the user is performing an abdominal crunch exercise using the device.
 8. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first handle or the second handle is adjustable.
 9. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein the elongated board comprises a length of approximately sixteen inches.
 10. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein the elongated board comprises a length of approximately twenty-two inches.
 11. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein a width between the first handle and the second handle is approximately fifteen inches.
 12. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein the elongated board comprises a tapering width from a first width of approximately fifteen inches to a second width of approximately eight inches.
 13. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein the first handle and the second handle are integrated into the elongated board.
 14. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein the elongated board, the first handle, and the second handle are a single piece.
 15. The abdominal crunch neck support device of claim 1, wherein the first handle is attachable to and detachable from the first elongated side and wherein the second handle is attachable to and detachable from the second elongated side.
 16. A method of performing an abdominal crunch using an abdominal crunch neck support device, the method comprising: placing at least part of a head, at least part of a neck, and at least part of a back on an elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device; grasping a first handle of the abdominal crunch neck support device with a left hand; grasping a second handle of the abdominal crunch neck support device with a right hand; and performing an abdominal crunch exercise using the abdominal crunch neck support device
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein placing the at least part of the head on the elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device comprises placing the at least part of the head on a pad attached to the elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein placing the at least part of the neck on the elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device comprises placing the at least part of the neck on the pad attached to the elongated board of the abdominal crunch neck support device.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the abdominal crunch exercise is performed without ungrasping the first handle and without ungrasping the second handle. 